News Release

Friday, August 23, 2013

Dog Dies inside Stolen Vehicle NR13396rh

Arrest Update

This evening, around 7:45 p.m., in North Hollywood, a suspect in the animal cruelty investigation has been arrested near a golf course in the 4100 block of Whitsett Avenue. He was taken into custody without incident and will be booked for Animal Cruelty. His identity will not be revealed until the booking process is completed.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Animal Cruelty Task Force, Detective Support and Vice Division are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the person who stole a van from the North Hollywood area on August 17, 2013. A dog was inside the van at the time the van was stolen. The van was abandoned for two days, and was eventually found by the police. The dog was abandoned in the van, and was found dead.

On August 17, 2013, around 1 p.m., a male Hispanic wearing a brownish colored plaid hoodie, stole a dark blue Honda Odyssey from the shopping mall parking lot located at Whitsett Avenue and Ventura Boulevard in front of a clothing store. The van owner left the air conditioner running while he entered the store to get his family, leaving the dog inside the van. When he returned, the van and the dog were gone.

The van was found two days later at around 5:30 p.m., in the 4100 block of Whitsett Avenue in a parking lot with the windows rolled up. The dog died inside of the van.

A $2,000 dollar reward is being offered by Mutt Match L.A. For additional information contact Sheilah Aragon at (323) 839-2980.

A $5,000 dollar reward is being offered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). For additional information contact PETA at 757-622-PETA (7382)

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact the LAPD Animal Cruelty Task Force, Detective Support and Vice Division at (213) 486-0450. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "web tips" and follow the prompts.